I think the only thing I want is a small Winter Divinity item just to see how the scent has changed. As for the removal and addition of new items, I actually really like Twice is Nice, but I don't reach for it. Come to think of it, I don't really reach for any of my HoG items very often.

I get cranberry ginger ale from Zazz, so I don't think that Cranberry Sierra Mist is crazy at all.

All I was waiting for from the Yule release was a full size Mama's Porridge pumpkin butter. I grabbed that, a whipped soap in Winter Divinity because the reformulated version sounds appealing, and a small Nefarious Gingerbread Man bubbling scrub. I have yet to find a lotion that my dry skin likes as much as the pumpkin butter, and I prefer the lighter scents.

Chyrsanthemum tea, juniper chocolate, and coffee 'nog all sound good to me. I really liked their fruit cake scent last year too. I've already bought myself a few things for myself and others this weekend though so I'll probably sit this one out. I would be so much more tempted if they had an actual sale going on.

I really just want more Winter Divinity, but can't spend any money so I'm glad none of these really sound good to me. It makes me happy to see Hearth back, but, I still have a full size I've barely used!

I bought samples of Tannenbaum and Chai in the Forest, and I couldn't resist Chrysanthemum Tea. I was really hoping for a Wintervale reformulation in this release. Fingers crossed that Tannenbaum has a similar "crisp winter air" feel.

Pumpkin Nog is tempting but redundant considering I have so many pumpkiny and eggnoggy perfume samples lying around. I had hoped the Stocking Stuffers and Nogs were't FS-only like the Halloween Candy Bowl scents even though it's better for my budget this way. They sound interesting, but not full-size-blind-buy interesting.

Hello, this is Britton. I am the founder, creator and co-owner of Haus of Gloi. Some of you know me pretty intimately and others may have no clue who I am. I started this little business in 2008, when I lost my job. Soap making was a hobby and on a whim, to make ends meet, I put my soaps up on Etsy. About 6 months later I was pulling my hair out trying to keep up. A year later, Matt (who I was in a relationship with at the time) quit his day job to help out. Eventually, we moved into a warehouse and Haus of Gloi now employs four people with living wages. At no point did I ever even think this would happen. I still look back and think about how blessed and lucky I was time and time again. Running this business has not been without its hardships. Being self-employed and a business owner has been one of the most challenging, stress inducing but rewarding things I have ever done in my life.

In 2013, Matt and I ended our 7 year relationship relatively amicably. As many of you can imagine, working next to your former partner day in and day out and managing a growing business is extremely difficult. We hired James to help with shipping and a year later we hired Jen to assist me in production. James and Jen have been absolutely amazing and quite pivitol to the business. Without them, Matt and I would have lost our heads a long time ago!

Now, at the cusp of 2017 I have decided to leave Haus of Gloi in April of next year. The business is not closing and things will continue to be as they are. The only change is my absence. I will still be a share holder and co-owner of the business, but I will no longer be part of the day to day operations, management and production. Currently we are in a transitional phase where I am supporting Jen as she takes over my role at the Haus. Jen is brilliant, passionate and has a great nose. In the future I may stop in from time to time to help with any product critical tasks, or help train a new person should someone get hired.

The reasons for the decision are multifaceted. Because I appreciate a level of transparency in businesses I wanted to write all of you and tell you why, or at least give you my primary reasons why.

In April of 2017, I will be hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. This is a 2660 mile long continuous wilderness path from Mexico to Canada through the states of California, Oregon and Washington. It will be an exhausting but life changing event for me. This will take about 5 months to complete and a few more to recover from. Some of you who follow me in my personal life and social media outlets may already know this, as I hiked 300+ miles along the Oregon Coast Trail just last summer to gain some experience. This is a passion of mine and being in my prime and in good health, there is no better time than now. I have been working for two years at this goal and I am a mere 5 months away from setting foot in the Southern Californian desert to begin my long hike.

Herbalism, wild plant medicine, my spiritual practice, conservation and environmental activism are all things near and dear to my heart. After I finish the trail, I will be leaving my home of Portland and relocating somewhere within the state of Oregon. My plan and desire is to pursue these passions of mine in greater depth and to devote the rest of my life to.

Long story short: I've changed and it's time to turn a new page in my life.

I will still remain a creator, formulator and soap maker. It's what I love to do. My focus in the future and after I finish the trail will shift into small scale botanically based goods, handcrafted herbal remedies and provide healing services to those in need out of my personal website archaichoney.com. This is the only way I make a living. I am extremely thankful to have the opportunity to step into this work that I am deeply called to do.

I want to thank each and everyone of you for your undying support over the years. It's been incredible to watch this business grow and a community grow around it as well and be a part of that journey. You all have fed my passions and helped me grow as a person. I really can't thank all of you enough and I hope that I am able to convey the depth of my sincerity to all of you in this letter. I love you and thank you.

Much love,Britton

PS: If you're wanting to stay in touch with me as I transition, you may find me in the following places: Instagram + Archaic Honey